EU supports polio vaccinations in Syria with 3 mn euro

BRUSSELS, May 3 (KUNA) — The European Commission announced Tuesday that it is contributing 3 million euro for a UNICEF and World Health Organisation-led nationwide polio vaccination campaign in Syria.The campaign aims to reach 2 million children in areas where medical access remains critical, such as in besieged, hard-to-reach and under-served areas.Christos Stylianides, EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid said in a press statement that “today we are announcing concrete support for Syrian children who are the first to suffer from inadequate access to healthcare. The EU is committed to supporting the most vulnerable victims of the Syrian conflict.” Today’s funding is part of the 445 million euro in humanitarian aid, announced at the London donors’ conference, that the EUآ’s executive body will provide in 2016 for the crisis in Syria. (end) nk.mt